We've seen alot of talk on Roberto Alomars retiring, but not many have posted any of his accomplishments, which, when put together, are quite impressive. And then there are those who want to dwell on his spitting incident. They forget Hirschbeck might have used a racial slurr. They forget Alomar took a suspension and paid the ALD society $50,000 as a fine. They forget Alomar and Hirschbeck are good friends now and Alomar has contributed over $250,000 to ALD research. ALD is the disease that took Hirschbecks son.
OK. Back to the accomplishments. Lets look at some of them.
World Champion
Yes, 1992 and 1993 Toronto Blue Jays.
Honors
All-Star (12): 1990-2001; Gold Glove (10): 1991-1996, 1998-2001; 1992 ALCS Most Valuable Player; 1998 All-Star Game MVP;
Feats
On May 10, 1991, Alomar joined the list of switch-hitters who have hit home runs from both sides of the plate in one game. He also accomplished that feat in 1995 (May 3), twice in 1996 (July 25 and August 14), and in 2001 (July 16)... Alomar hit three homers in one game on April 26, 1997.
In the 1993 regular season he batted .326 with 193 hits, 109 runs, 35 doubles, 17 homers, 93 RBI, 55 steals, 80 walks, and a .408 OBP. He also won the Gold Glove Award. And the World Series with a .480 ba.
In 1995, Alomar's defense took center stage. On June 17, he broke Jerry Adair's AL record for consecutive errorless games by a second baseman with his 90th error-free game (the streak reached 104 before it was snapped). Then on June 27, he set another AL record for errorless chances with 460, eventually running that record to 482. For the season, he led the majors' second basemen with a career-high .994 fielding average -- just four errors in 643 total chances -- and led AL second basemen in putouts (272).
He won over Indians fans with an MVP-caliber season, hitting .323 with 24 home runs and 120 RBIs and leading the league in runs scored with 138. He also provided sparkling defense that earned him his eighth Gold Glove. Alomar's fielding continued to shine in 2000 when he had a league-best 437 assists.
In his career, Alomar established remarkable milestones for a second baseman, including making twelve straight All-Star teams (1990-2001); winning ten straight gold gloves (1992-2001); batting over .300 nine times (1992-1997, 1999-2001); posting on OBP over .400 five times (1992-93, 1996, 1999, 2001); scoring 100 or more runs six times (1992-93, 1996, 1999-2001); driving in 100 or more runs twice (1999, 2001); stealing 30 or more bases eight times (1989, 1991-93, 1995, 1999-2001), and winning four Silver Slugger awards (1992, 1996, 1999-2000).
First Ballot Hall of Famer? Not much doubt is there?
Roberto Alomar, 2nd to None.